Kenmore 158.19141 help!!

Hi! my best friend just recently bought this great old sewing machine at a rummage sale... he was very excited to get started on his projects. but the machine as much as he loves it is acting up. he's been working on it for 3 hours now, and for some reason the top thread is making lovely art underneath his fabric.

he called me to help him and we've tried everything in our collective minds to fix it. we've tried adjusting tension for both the top and the bobbin, i've tried pulling the bobbin casing apart and dusting and oiling, i've tried to move the feed dogs... nothing is really working. i can get about 2" into the project and then it starts getting ugly again... it is the same for both heavy fabrics and cottons.

the bobbin appears to be running smoothly, and there isn't heavy tension when i pull on the thread, but for some reason, without breaking the thread, it just stops getting pulled up.

2 Answers

Hello. The 158.19141 is probably the best Kenmore sewing machine around. I use two of this same model in my sewing/alterations business and they have been totally dependable. (I also have 3 vintage Kenmore computerized machines) but the 158.19141 is my favorite model. The problem sounds as though there is dust/dirt/lint in some of the parts in the machine. Take off the feedplate, vacuum and or use a lint brush to loosen any threads and lint. Take out the bobbin case and bobbin: inspect for lint and dust. Take out the bobbin shuttle (which tends to make the threads bunch if it has lint build up). Clean or vacuum, PUT A DROP OF OIL ON THE CENTER PIN, and replace.

Oil the machine regularly. If it has sat around for months without use, it may tend to get sluggish.

Make sure your feeddogs are UP. Use an appropriate size needle for your fabric and make sure it is set properly. The flat side of the needle has to be facing to the north of the machine; and make sure the needle is inserted entirely up and tightly into the needlebar.

Threading the machine properly and inserting the bobbin correctly is usually the answer to most frustrations with a machine. Good luck...and lucky you to have the Kenmore 158.1914 model.

I am working on one right now I am a sewing machine mechanic with www.icanhelpsew.com and it looks like because it doubled as a blender in the 60's the timing gets thrown off quite often. So throw the 60's thread to the trash time it, oil it, THREAD it right, and it's purring for another round of daiquiris. Oh and along with the cheap thread it does not like cheap tequila. It has a good motor for thicker fabrics and also mudslides. Really do what I said and its off to happy hour you go. Happy Sewing and Happy Blending! Mine is running smooth waters now. Nice Machine ... kinda grows on you and makes you want to paint the world puke green. C.Slayton

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Call a dealer and ask them. i would think they can fix anything, if they find the part. it may be time to get a different machine. Kenmores are often found are garage sales, etc, you could buy another just like yours, and keep the other for parts.

Serging is sewing but it only sews seams by "overlocking" the edges. This machine will not make buttonholes, darn or other sewing. Serging is great for knits and finishing seams. You got a great deal! Sell it if you don't think this is what you want. Many sewers have a traditional sewing machine and a serger. I have two of each.. plus an embroidery machine.. but then I am an addict.

hi! i dont have a solution for your problem however i would like to ask a favor from you if you can give me a copy of owners manual of kenmore sewing machine 158.13511. i recently purchase the same model at yard sale for $20 in very good condition but without an owners manual. i appreciate it much if you can get back to me.

Just today i got out my little janome i bought years ago and it is this model. There was no "manual" with the machine. All that came with it is a large 20X14 two sided print out. I can scan and send this to you with an email address.

It was hardly used for a reason. Everybody here got their's at a yard sale, thrift store, etc. Hmm, wonder why? Please don't give it to your granddaughter to learn on. She will only learn to hate sewing. Get her a forty pound, fifteen-year-old kenmore that will be a lot of tolerant. The Tiny Tailor is a little piece of large frustration.

Make sure your machine is set to feed material. There may be a switch or knob somewhere on your machine to lower the "feed dogs" (the little metal teeth that pull the material through the machine). If they are down, the material won't feed so the machine will sew in place. More likely, since its knotting on the bottom, your machine is probably not threaded correctly. Rethread the machine, and try again. Yes, the thread on the bottom IS the needle thread.